Teaching a unit on Michael Jackson? Using Thriller as a learnt work? Researching dance in filmclips of the 1980's? Michael Jackson: The Experience can be used as a method of teaching Michael Jackson's unique style. The game features his classic songs and iconic dance moves featured in Thriller, Billie Jean and Bad, to name just a few. Michael Jackson's influence on popular music, dance, and culture, from as early as the 1970's, has been incomparable and he continues to, even after his passing, remain relevant to dancers creating new works.
Michael Jackson: The Experience, could be used as an interactive and informative method of introducing students to Michael Jackson's style of dancing. The game features challenges where the players have to mimic Jackson's dance moves successfully to score points. the version available on Wii works with the game stick in the players hand, whereas the XBox Kinetic version uses a camera which records the whole body actions of the player, transporting the player into the game, performing Jackson's moves. So, obviously, the Kinetic version would be the most ideal version to use in a dance class as it relies on the whole body moving correctly to register the score. This game (and similar games available) are fantastic ways to introduce students to new topics and engage them in dance with a new technology. Teachers must remember that these are games which may result in competitive behaviour amongst the students, so care should be taken in incorporating them into the classroom. Having this interactive technology available to teach dance (there are similar dance games available, not just Michael Jackson based dance games) would be an engaging way to teach dance for students. Majority of them would have experienced these games in their home or social life, so incorporating them into the curriculum would give the students a sense of familiarity and ownership over their learning.
In no way should this game be used for assessment. It is a game. This should only be used as an introductory lesson, for some fun (or as a reward), or may even be used as a piece of formative assessment: gauging how the students grasp the technique and style of Michael Jackson. From this lesson, there are a many tasks (or assessments) which you could set the students. here are some examples:
1. Using the moves you learnt in the game (eg. thriller) in a group, complete the choreography for the song in that style.
2. In a group, choreograph and film a "flim clip" for a Michael Jackson song, influenced by the corressponding dance moves from the game.
3. Teach the class one of Michael's iconic dances as a learnt work.
There are obvious limitations with using this game in the classroom. All of the equipment required is not standard educational material. The school would be required to purchase the console and game plus equip the dance studio with a projector screen. There are obvious educational benefits to these products, which would probably need to be argued to receive funding. But, the dance studio is the ideal location for these technologies and could therefore be made available to other faculties in the school, providing it doesn't impede on the dance curriculum. As dance educators, it would be advisable to practice, practice, practice the game before introducing it into your classroom. It would be beneficial to be versed in the language of the game so as you can handle and understand any situation that may arise. As mentioned earlier, students may become extremely competitive playing the game: teachers understanding the game will be confident in mediating any disagreements.
Your students should love having this technology in the classroom. there are many different versions of dance games available and many more will be released in the future. Whether you use this technology for educational purposes or for student engagement, either way it will enhance your relationship between yo and your students and technology.
MICHAEL JACKSON: THE EXPERIENCE
Available on Wii, PSP and Nintendo DS, XBox 360 (Kinetic) & PlayStation3 (Move)!
Michael Jackson.com reviews The Michael Jackson Experience
GameGuru.com review
everybodyplays.co.uk review for Xbox360 Kinetic
Teaching a unit on Michael Jackson? Using Thriller as a learnt work? Researching dance in filmclips of the 1980's? Michael Jackson: The Experience can be used as a method of teaching Michael Jackson's unique style. The game features his classic songs and iconic dance moves featured in Thriller, Billie Jean and Bad, to name just a few. Michael Jackson's influence on popular music, dance, and culture, from as early as the 1970's, has been incomparable and he continues to, even after his passing, remain relevant to dancers creating new works.
Michael Jackson: The Experience, could be used as an interactive and informative method of introducing students to Michael Jackson's style of dancing. The game features challenges where the players have to mimic Jackson's dance moves successfully to score points. the version available on Wii works with the game stick in the players hand, whereas the XBox Kinetic version uses a camera which records the whole body actions of the player, transporting the player into the game, performing Jackson's moves. So, obviously, the Kinetic version would be the most ideal version to use in a dance class as it relies on the whole body moving correctly to register the score. This game (and similar games available) are fantastic ways to introduce students to new topics and engage them in dance with a new technology. Teachers must remember that these are games which may result in competitive behaviour amongst the students, so care should be taken in incorporating them into the classroom. Having this interactive technology available to teach dance (there are similar dance games available, not just Michael Jackson based dance games) would be an engaging way to teach dance for students. Majority of them would have experienced these games in their home or social life, so incorporating them into the curriculum would give the students a sense of familiarity and ownership over their learning.
In no way should this game be used for assessment. It is a game. This should only be used as an introductory lesson, for some fun (or as a reward), or may even be used as a piece of formative assessment: gauging how the students grasp the technique and style of Michael Jackson. From this lesson, there are a many tasks (or assessments) which you could set the students. here are some examples:
1. Using the moves you learnt in the game (eg. thriller) in a group, complete the choreography for the song in that style.
2. In a group, choreograph and film a "flim clip" for a Michael Jackson song, influenced by the corressponding dance moves from the game.
3. Teach the class one of Michael's iconic dances as a learnt work.
There are obvious limitations with using this game in the classroom. All of the equipment required is not standard educational material. The school would be required to purchase the console and game plus equip the dance studio with a projector screen. There are obvious educational benefits to these products, which would probably need to be argued to receive funding. But, the dance studio is the ideal location for these technologies and could therefore be made available to other faculties in the school, providing it doesn't impede on the dance curriculum. As dance educators, it would be advisable to practice, practice, practice the game before introducing it into your classroom. It would be beneficial to be versed in the language of the game so as you can handle and understand any situation that may arise. As mentioned earlier, students may become extremely competitive playing the game: teachers understanding the game will be confident in mediating any disagreements.
Your students should love having this technology in the classroom. there are many different versions of dance games available and many more will be released in the future. Whether you use this technology for educational purposes or for student engagement, either way it will enhance your relationship between yo and your students and technology.
Michael Jackson
Thriller